Topic:

Air & Infrastructure

The travel and tourism industry would benefit from understanding how well the efforts of TSA contribute to improved customer service at our nation’s airports. Fortunately, they provide this data to the Department of Transportation (DOT). This analysis shows some of the impacts before and after the introduction of Pre-Check.

Members of Congress recently re-introduced the Residue Entries and Streamlining Trade (REST) Act, and at issue were requirements on getting empty containers back into the United States. CBP should be applauded for a policy on delaying these additional requirements.

Fans of the space epic Star Wars are eagerly awaiting the release of the next installment in the film, but there is already a real-life battle in space, and the U.S. government is looking to the private sector for help. Defense Sec. Ash Carter recently spoke of a “GPS of Things.” What is that and what does it mean for the future of warfare and commerce?

Rumors have been swirling around the homeland security community for the past three weeks that U.S. Coast Guard Vice Admiral Pete Neffenger would be named to lead the Transportation Security Administration. Today, the White House made it official.

The infamous Tommy-gun toting John Dillinger was once asked why he robbed banks. He responded, “Because that’s where the money is.” That simple logic is similar to the thinking of government leaders, like DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, who are looking to California as a vault holding a priceless commodity—a high-tech workforce.

Homeland security is paramount, but facilitating trade should not be far behind and a part of this is customer service. Homeland security and good customer service should be considered complimentary and result in an even safer travel environment.

In advance of an oversight hearing on TSA by his subcommittee today, Rep. John Katko (R-NY) wrote to President Obama asking for the White House to fill the TSA Administrator’s position “ASAP.” DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said last week the White House had settled on a candidate and world be submitting the nomination to the Senate “very soon.” We shall see.

Last week’s Senate Commerce Committee announcement about an upcoming hearing on TSA’s FY16 budget request inferentially noted that the White House still had not sent the Senate a nominee to replace former Administrator John Pistole. The Commerce Committee has a point that needs to be addressed. TSA needs a nominee and the Administration need look no further than current TSA leadership.

Security Debrief is a blog dedicated to homeland security, terrorism and counter-terrorism, intelligence and law enforcement that provides context to the debates, policies and politics that are playing out in Washington, D.C.